The Law and the Gospel

 Sabbath School

Growing in a Relationship with God 

Sin, the Gospel, and the Law 

Lesson 9 - Wednesday 

Christ, the Law, and the Freedom of Faith

When Jesus came to earth, many people misunderstood His mission. Some thought He came to remove the law entirely. Others believed righteousness could only come through strict rule-keeping. Jesus corrected both extremes. In one of the clearest statements He ever made, He said:

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17–18, NKJV).

Jesus did not abolish God’s law. He fulfilled it perfectly. He lived the life humanity failed to live. He showed the true spirit of the law—not cold legalism, but love flowing from a transformed heart. Throughout His ministry, Jesus exposed how the religious leaders had turned obedience into a burden. They focused on outward performance while neglecting mercy, humility, justice, and faithfulness. Christ showed that the law was never meant to be a ladder to earn salvation. It was meant to reveal God’s character and guide people into loving relationship with Him and others.

The apostle Paul expands on this truth powerfully. Romans 3:28 says:

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”

Romans 4:13–16 explains that the promises of God come through faith, not through law-keeping. Galatians 2:16 repeats the point strongly:

“A man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.”

This means no amount of obedience can erase sin or make us righteous before God. We cannot save ourselves by trying harder. The law can reveal sin, but it cannot cure it. Like a mirror, it shows the dirt on our face but cannot wash us clean.

That is why Galatians 3:13 is so important:

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.”

Jesus took upon Himself the condemnation that the broken law demanded. At the cross, justice and mercy met together. Christ bore the penalty so that sinners could receive forgiveness and new life.

Paul also writes in Philippians 3:9 that he no longer wanted a righteousness that came “from the law,” but instead the righteousness that comes “through faith in Christ.” Paul had once been extremely religious and strict about the law, yet he discovered that outward obedience without Christ leaves a person spiritually empty.

So how do believers keep the law without becoming legalistic?

The answer is found in relationship, not performance.

Legalism says, “I obey so God will accept me.”
Faith says, “God has accepted me in Christ, therefore I obey.”

Legalism focuses on earning.
Faith focuses on trusting.

Legalism produces pride or despair.
Faith produces humility, gratitude, and love.

When someone truly loves Christ, obedience stops being about checking boxes. It becomes the natural fruit of walking with God. Jesus Himself said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Love comes first. Obedience follows.

This is why the Christian life is not law versus grace. It is law established through grace. Romans 3:31 says:

“Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”

Faith does not destroy obedience; it puts obedience in its proper place. We obey not to become saved, but because we are saved. The law becomes a joy rather than a burden when Christ changes the heart.

Many sincere Christians struggle here. Some become careless and think grace means obedience no longer matters. Others become anxious and exhausted trying to prove themselves worthy to God. Both miss the gospel. The cross shows us that sin is serious enough that Jesus had to die, but God’s love is great enough that He was willing to die for us.

The Christian walk is not about flawless performance. It is about daily surrender to Christ. As we trust Him, the Holy Spirit writes God’s law upon our hearts. Real obedience grows from faith, just as fruit grows naturally from a healthy tree.

Look at the lives of people like Abraham, David, Peter, and Paul. None were perfect. All failed deeply at times. Yet they were counted righteous because they trusted God. Their obedience flowed from faith, not from an attempt to earn salvation.

The same is true for us today. God is not asking you to save yourself through rule-keeping. He is asking you to trust Christ completely. When you do, obedience becomes an expression of love rather than a desperate attempt to gain approval.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Jesus to fulfill the law perfectly and to bear the curse of sin in our place. Help us never to trust in our own works or righteousness, but only in Christ alone. Teach us to obey You from love and gratitude rather than fear or pride. Guard us from legalism on one side and careless living on the other. Write Your law upon our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and make our lives reflect the character of Jesus. Strengthen our faith when we struggle, and remind us daily that our hope is found in Christ’s righteousness, not our own.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

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